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9th October 2024
10:43am BST
Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher will be relied upon as Liverpool's primary shot-stopper for the next few weeks as the club's first-choice keeper Alisson has been ruled out until after the November internationals.
The 32-year-old was substituted in the 81st minute at Selhurst Park after going down holding his leg in pain.
Kelleher was absent from Saturday's squad through illness, so the injured Alisson was replaced by former St Patrick’s Athletic keeper Vitezslav Jaros - making his club debut in the final ten minutes of the 1-0 win.
This morning, the club confirmed fan's fears that Alisson's injury is a serious one.
According to The Times, Liverpool's No.1 is expected to be out of action until after the international break, meaning we won't see him back in goal until mid to late November.
Bad news for Liverpool and Alisson 🤕 #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/0ptWynlH13
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 9, 2024
That means Kelleher will be between the posts for matches against Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton, and Aston Villa in the Premier League, as well as two Champions League fixtures against RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen.
Depending on whether or not Alisson's recovery goes as well as hoped, the Corkman might even see himself in goal for the game against Real Madrid on November 27.
Considering Kelleher has already expressed a desire to move elsewhere and be the first-choice keeper at another club, the upcoming Nations League games for Ireland and the responsibility of having to protect Liverpool's goal for a tough run of fixtures will serve as a great advertisement to attract the interest of other clubs ahead of the January transfer window.
On the last day of the summer transfer window, Liverpool rejected a deadline-day bid from Nottingham Forest for Kelleher.
While on international duty for Ireland in September, the 25-year-old opened up about his disappointment at Liverpool’s decision to reject the bid and added that he believes he is “good enough” to be a first-choice keeper.
"I made it clear in the last few years I want to go be a number one and play week in, week out.
"The club made the decision to get another goalkeeper," he added. "From the outside looking in, looks like they have made a decision to go in another direction.
"It has been reported that Liverpool had rejected a few bids as well. It is not always in my hands to make the decision. My ambition is to prove I am good enough to play week in, week out."
Well, for the next seven weeks, Kelleher will get his wish.
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